Early release could siphon Ultrabooks' market share

Next-Gen Macbooks May Debut in April: Supply-chain leaks hint that Apple‘s (NASDAQ:AAPL) next-gen Macbook Pro and Macbook Air might be arriving as soon as April. According to documents obtained by DigiTimes, “Apple is expected to launch upgraded 13- and 15-inch MacBook Pros in April with initial shipments estimated to reach 900,000 units.” While release dates sourced from the supply chain aren’t definitively reliable, information gathered by Time hints that the next generation of Macbooks might retail for significantly less than their predecessors, and pose a significant threat to the market share currently occupied by Ultrabooks. With Intel (NASDAQ:INTC) postponing the distribution of Ivy Bridge CPUs until June, an April Macbook release could seriously undercut its competitor’s sales — especially when combined with a reduction in retail prices.

Adobe Licenses Photoshop Touch for the iPad: In anticipation of next Wednesday’s iPad 3 release, Adobe (NASDAQ:ADBE) announced the introduction of a tablet-friendly Photoshop app for the iPad, according to ZDNet. Retailing for $9.99, the iPad’s version of the design app works through Google images and Facebook for picture sharing, and integrates image sharing with Adobe’s Creative Cloud Hub to facilitate picture distribution. The announcement of an iPad-distinct Adobe app in anticipation of the launch of Apple’s third generation tablet bodes well for creative cooperation, and could foster increasing partnership.

Proview Hoping to Settle iPad Trademark Dispute Privately: Businessweek reports that a spokesman for Proview Electronics has publicly stated, “I hope (Apple) will positively contact us and make an appointment with us about formal negotiations out of court.” A continuation of the ongoing trademark litigation, Apple previously appealed an unfavorable November ruling by a lower court, claiming that their purchase of the iPad’s name rights from Proview’s Taiwan branch covers the mainland. Yesterday’s hearing at the Guangdong Higher People’s Court adjourned without setting a new court date or verdict timeframe, and Proview is hoping to negotiate a private settlement to conclude the case.

Adam Patterson is Assistant Editor of InvestorPlace. As of this writing, he did not hold a position in any of the aforementioned securities. For more from the company, check out our previous Apple Rumors stories.